Showing support

Students write letters to Penns Valley teacher serving in Afghanistan

Penns Valley Area High School technology education teacher Andrew Landis left his job earlier this school year to serve with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in the war on terrorism in Afghanistan.

Before going abroad, he made one request of district Superintendent Brian Griffith: He asked if students would write letters to Landis and his fellow troops. The teachers and students took up the offer, and their letters have been sent abroad.

Letters from eight classes in the district’s three elementary schools were submitted to the CDT for publication. Because of the large volume of letters submitted, more are published online.

THIRD GRADE, PENNS VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Dear Soldier, My name is Sheri B. My hair is dirty blond my eyes are blue. My birthday is April 17 and I will be nine. I have one older sister that is twelve years old. When she was in third grade she also wrote a letter to the soldiers. My daddy was in the 82nd Airborn four years. He has been and still is in the Air National Guard for 20 years. My mommy was active duty Air National Guard for 21 years and has retired. Because my parents are military are I appreciate all you do. Keep on fighting for America I also hope you like the mini American flag I sent you. Sincerely, Sheri P.S. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.

Dear soldier, My name is Michaela W. I’m 8 years old but almost Nine. I live in pennsylvania. I go to the Penns Vally Elementary School. I like to swim in the summer, have snowball fights in the winter collect leaves in the fall, and find salamanders in the spring. I’m in 3rd grade right now, but soon I’ll be in 4th grade. I know you’re doing a great job in serving our country. I hope you can come home and see your family members soon. I give my wishes and prayers to you. Don’t give up, because every day your saving my life with every other child in this room. I’m willing to bet that you can make it through long enough to get back home. Thank you for risking all you can for us — your life. Sincerely, Michaela

Dear Soldier, My name is Abigail Ann Thom. I am 8 years old. Also my hair is brown, I have white skin and I have lots of freckles! I live in the USA and in the state of Pennylvania. I go to school at Penns Valley Elementary School. I like to do lots of art stuff and play soccer, baseball and basketball. Also I have a twin sister that does not look like me at all!!! You should never give up and keep on being the best soldier you can be! Also thank you for helping us! It is probably hard to be a soldier because you probably miss your family you have to wake up early and risk your own life for us! But that does not mean just give up. Your doing a great job and thank you! Love, Abigail

****** SECOND GRADE (THREE SCHOOLS INCLUDED)

Dear Soldier, My name is Chloe S. I am a student at Centre Hall-Potter Elementary. We leraned that Afghanistan is in Asia. I Love to climb my cherry tree. One time I got to the 8th branch i love to play basketball with my little brother Max in the back yard. I also love to go bowling once I got two strikes in a row! Thank you for keeping us safe. Love, Chloe

Dear Soldiers, Hi! My name is Alyssa B. I go to Centre Hall Potter Elementary School. I’m in 2nd grade and I am good at writing. I have a passion for dancing and soccer. I have a little brother that is 4 and his name is Andrew. When I grow up I want to be an author and make a book that has 60,000 pages in it. My favorite color is light blue. What is your favorite color? My favorite food is macaroni and cheese. What is your favorite food? Thank you for keeping our country free hero. Best wishes, Alyssa

Dear Soldier, Hi. My name is Jeremiah M. I am eight years old. I am in 2nd grade. I go to Rebersburg Elementary. I live in Pennsylvania. I play these sports: baseball and wrestling. I like to play video games. I want to go in the Army. What do you need to do first when you join the Army? Thanks for fighting for us. From, Jeremiah P.S. Write back.

Dear soldier, Hello, my name is Jarek M. and I am seven years old. I go to school at Rebersburg Elementary and I am in second grade and it is the one hundred thirty-six day of school. My state is Pennsylvania. Now I’m going to tell you three things about myself. I’m usually quiet, I’m the most fastest runer in my class, and I’m a well thinker! I am going to thank you a lot because you guys helped us from the other guys! From, Jarek

********* FIRST GRADE, PENNS VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Dear Friend, My name is Katie. I am 7 years old. My very favorite food is pizza. Do you like pizza? I am also a Millheim Twirler. Do you have any children? I live babies. A lot of my Uncles were in the Army too. They said it was hot and sometimes very very cold. Is it pretty up where you are? I bet it is just sand. But when you come home it will not be just sand. I really hope you do not get hurt. I also want you to remember that everyone is looking out for you. Your Friend, Katie.

Dear Soldier, My name is Maximillian. I’m a smart kid. I live in a theater in Millheim. I have 2 pets. I have 3 brothers and a sister. I’m in first grade. Are you a boy or a girl? Whats your name? Sincerely, Maximillian D. Engle

***** FIFTH GRADE, PENNS VALLEY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Dear Soldier, Thank you for protecting our country. My name is Caleb. I grew up in Spring Mills, PA and I still live there. I go to school in the Penns Valley Area School District. In Social Studies, I am learning about the American Revolution, but you and the Patriots are doing the same thing by defending our country. Thank you! I hope you come home soon. Sincerely, Caleb

Dear Soldier, I hope you are okay overseas. You are a very brave person. My name is Dan K. I like playing baseball, football and hockey. Also I am a Jacksonville Jaguars fan, a Boston Red Sox fan, and a Montréal Canadiens fan also. I am a 5th grader at Penns Valley Intermediate School. I am in Ms. Michael’s class. I have 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1 lizard and 53 fish. Also, I like hunting squirrels, rabbits and turkeys. I also like fishing. My favorite TV show is Dirty Jobs. My favorite food is beeferoni. My favorite color is teal. I hope you can write back to me. Thank you for your service! Sincerely, Dan K.

Dear Soldier, Hi I’m Julia K. I live in Centre Hall, Pa. I’m a fifth grader. My favorite things to do are play basketball, and go to friends houses. My favorite color is blue. My two best friends’ names are Kayla, and Cheyenne. I have two dogs that I adore. Also, I have four cats and five fish. I love goats. Right now we have around 56 of them. I show them at The Grange Fair every year. It’s our county fair, and it’s the last one in the country that people still camp at for the week. We can talk about you now. Where are you from? Do you have a family? If you have any kids, how old are they? Do you have any pets? How long have you been in the service? Have you been deployed any where else? What job do you do? How old are you? I just want to thank you for everything you have done for our country. If you ever get the chance to write back, please do. Julia K.

Dear Soldier, Hi my name is Colton T. I am in Ms. Michael’s fifth grade class at Penns Valley Intermediate School. You soldiers are very brave for what you are doing for our country. My hobbies are baseball, football and basketball. In baseball, I play any position, but mostly catcher. In football, I play linebacker and QB. In basketball, I play power forward. I also enjoy 4wheel riding. I have two golden retrievers. One’s 11 years old and the other one is 8 months old. Also I have a cat who’s name is Midnight. My uncle was in the service. He was a tank commander. My favorite baseball team is the Atlanta Braves, my favorite player is Chipper Jones. My favorite football team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. My favorite basketball team is the Miami Heat my favorite player is Dwain Wade. Do you have any favorite teams? Your friend, Colton T.

**** KINDERGARTEN, CENTRE HALL-POTTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

I hope you are doing good at the war. Clay H.

Have a good day. Get home safely. Terena C.

I am watching you on TV. You are awesome today. Brianna K.

I am watching you on TV. and I hope that you are having a good time. Morgan S.

Be careful becaus I don't want you to get hurt so be careful okay. Lanna R.

I hope you have a safe trip home. Lydia C.